How to Log in to the OSAP Website for New Users

• Who is a New User?
• Social Insurance Number
• OSAP Access Number
• Password
• Challenge Questions & Answers
• Forgotten Your Password?
• Locked Out?
• SECURITY PROCEDURES

You are entering the secure part of the OSAP website where you can:

• Apply online for the following programs: OSAP, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), and EXPLORE (formerly known as Summer Language Bursary Program) 
• Update your file (change your password and addresses) 
• Check the status of your application (after it is submitted).

The above functions are only available through the secure part of the OSAP website to ensure your personal information is keep strictly confidential. Secure socket layer (SSL) technology is used to ensure: 1) authentication - verifying who you are and that you are accessing the OSAP website, and 2) encryption - ensuring that any personal information is encrypted while being transferred across the internet so that no one is able access it. A closed lock symbol will show up on the bottom of your browser window indicating that you are in the secure part of the website.

Who is a New User?
A new user is someone who has never applied for OSAP, OGS and/or EXPLORE (either on this website or by completing a paper form) or someone who has never used this secure section of the OSAP website. 

If you have used this website before or have entered a Temporary Password (previously called a PIN) on a paper application form, you are NOT A NEW USER. You cannot use the new user log in page and will get the following error message:

• You have already logged in to the OSAP website and you have a password on file. Log in using your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or OSAP Access Number (OAN) and password. If you do not remember your password, go to the "Forgot Password" link to log in using your Challenge Questions and Answers OR you may request a temporary password. Go to the "Password Process" link for details on how to get a temporary password.

As the error message says, you must go back to the "Log in to the OSAP Website" page and enter your password or temporary password (previously called a PIN).  Refer to your copy of any previous paper application forms to see if you entered a temporary password or PIN. Please note that they are kept on file  permanently, so you may have entered one years ago. If you are unable to log in, you will have to Request to have OSAP Access Restored.

To log in for the FIRST TIME you have to provide your SIN, Password, and Challenge Questions and Answers

Social Insurance Number
The first time you log in, you must enter your Social Insurance Number (SIN).  If you have a SIN that starts with "0, 3, 8 or 9", it is a temporary SIN and is not considered valid for OSAP purposes. You must contact any office of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Employment Insurance for information on how to obtain a SIN. If you are a Protected Person, as defined by subsection 95(2) of the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and you have a temporary SIN that starts with "9", you may apply using the OSAP online application. To do so, please use the "New student? Click here" link to log in.

After you log in, you will be given an OSAP Access Number (OAN), that in the future you can use to log in. It is a random 9-digit number and it should be kept in a safe and secure place and not given to anyone. You can use this number instead of your Social Insurance Number (SIN). The choice is yours. If you do not remember your OAN and log in using your SIN, you will be presented with your OAN so that you can remember it and use it in the future. 

Password
Enter a password that is between 5 and 8 characters in length. You can use a combination of letters and numbers. Please remember if you use capitals, because it is case sensitive. Do not create a password that is easy for someone to determine (e.g., your name, birth date, etc). Don't forget it and put it in a secure place because you will use this password for all future academic years. You can change the password at any time by logging in and clicking on the "Change password" link on the Online Services Page.

Challenge Questions and Answers
You will be asked to set up two Challenge Questions and Answers. If you forgot your password you have the option of logging in to the OSAP website using the Challenge Questions and Answers that you set up in this section. You will be presented with your two questions and if you answer both of them correctly, you will be able to log in. You will be required to create a new password, which you should use in the future. 

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Last updated: October 1, 2004